Turkey Eggs Research Articles

The effect of season on internal quality of backyard turkey eggs using discriminant canonical analysis

This study is aimed to define the effect of season on internal turkey eggs produced in backyard systems. To this goal, a total of 197 turkey eggs from Andalusian hens were continuously collected throughout 15 months to study internal quality attributes. A discriminant canonical analysis was performed considering season as the dependent variable and these quality attributes as independent variables. Yolk weight was discarded from analysis due to multicollinearity problems (VIF > 5), and then, statistically explanatory variables were obtained (p < .05). All colour yolk traits, including yolk colorimetric (lightness, redness and yellowness axes) and DSM® fan performed as discriminating variables. Moreover, the yield of egg components (yolk diameter and albumen weight) and almost every shell trait (shell strength, thickness and resistance area) were powerful explanatory variables as well. Albumen height and pH were reported explanatory variables, but possibly due to the effect of the environment from laying to egg collection. Results obtained show a great adaptation of this genotype to its traditional environment and rearing conditions. This study provides the first description of the effect of season on internal food quality attributes of turkey eggs and would provide a better understanding of egg production in organic-like systems. Moreover, the results of this study represent a step forward in the procedures for the institutional recognition of the breed. Highlights Internal egg quality attributes in turkey species vary throughout seasons and serve as explanatory variables in the discriminant canonical analysis. Eggs laid in different seasons can be successfully classified attending to the variance of their internal egg characteristics. Yolk colour attributes, particularly yolk yellowness (b*), showed great explanatory properties, which evidences different trends in pasture availability and consumption during the year. General internal quality did not decline during the summer, which evidences the great adaptation of the Andalusian turkey breed to its environment. Effects of climate change are visible in egg quality in organic-like rearing systems.

Morphological features of the cuticle of hatching eggs of chickens and turkeys subjected to pre-incubation treatment

Improving the productivity of poultry, especially egg crosses, depends on the quality of the bioceramic calcite (CaCO3) layers and surface glycoprotein film of the egg (cuticle). These are the barriers that control the flow of gases and water vapor. Any disruptions in the transport process can lead to a significant reduction in egg hatchability. It has been proven that treatment of chicken and turkey eggs with acid solutions (acetic acid or hydrochloric acid) and sodium hypochlorite prior to hatching has increased egg hatchability compared to the control. In view of this, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective structures of incubation eggs of chickens and turkeys using non-destructive electron microscopic methods and computer processing of digital images of the cuticle coatings of these eggs for reliable prediction of the degree of increase in gas permeability of the cuticle-shell system due to the destructive effect of various chemicals, including disinfectants, for pre-hatching egg treatment. In the experiments, hatching eggs of Leghorn White hens (n = 90) 15–20 weeks of laying and Broad Breasted White turkeys (n = 80) were used. The antimicrobial agents used in the experiments were a 0.6% solution (0.08 mol/L) of sodium hypochlorite, a 2.5% solution (0.4 mol/L) of acetic acid, and a 5.0% solution (1.40 mol/L) of hydrochloric acid. Using the computer analysis of digital electron microscopic images of the egg surface with the software packages Visilog and FemtoScan Online, it was experimentally proved that the destructive effect of these substances on the cuticle-shell system increases in the range of sodium hypochlorite &lt; hydrochloric acid &lt; acetic acid, which positively correlates with the gas permeability of hatching eggs of chickens and turkeys and the egg hatchability index. The presence of fundamentally different morphological features and correlations of the cuticle of chicken and turkey eggs in response to the action of acids and oxidants used for pre-hatching treatment was shown. The digital markers of the cuticle-shell system state, obtained from analytical programs of digital images, have been established, which makes it possible to reliably predict the indicators of increasing the hatchability of chicken and turkey eggs under the conditions of using certain chemicals. The prospect of further research is to study the effect of modern complex antimicrobial agents on the hatchability of poultry eggs of different species.

Assessment of no-observed-effect-levels for DNA adducts formation by genotoxic carcinogens in fetal turkey livers

For genotoxic carcinogens, covalent binding to DNA is a critical initiating event in tumorigenesis. The present research investigated dose-effect relationships of three genotoxic carcinogens representing different structural classes, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and quinoline (QUI), to assess the existence of no-observed-effect-levels (NOELs) for the formation of DNA adducts. Carcinogens were administered into the air sac of fertilized turkey eggs over wide dose ranges in three daily injections on days 22 to 24 of incubation. DNA adducts were measured in the fetal turkey livers by the 32P-nucleotide postlabeling (NPL) assay. B[a]P and QUI produced DNA adducts in a dosage-related manner and exhibited NOELs at 0.65 and 0.35 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. In contrast, 2-AAF formed DNA adducts at all tested dosages down to 0.005 mg/kg bw/day. Benchmark dose (BMD) analysis identified the potencies of 2-AAF and QUI to be similar, while B[a]P was the least potent compound. Overall, findings in fetal turkey livers demonstrated that exposure levels to genotoxic compounds that do not result in DNA adducts can exist but are not evident with all carcinogens of this type. The use of mechanistic dose-effect studies for genotoxic endpoints can provide critical information for prioritization of concerns for risk assessment.

Yumurta Kabuğu Kalınlığı, Yumurta Ağırlığı ve Şekil İndeksinin Çıkış Penceresi ve Hindi Civcivlerinin Cinsiyeti Üzerine Etkileri

The effects of eggshell thickness (EST), shape index (SI) and egg weight (EW) on the hatch window (HW), hatching time (HT), gender of hatched turkey poults hatched were investigated. Total of 150 commercial Hybrid Converter breed turkey hatching eggs obtained from a turkey meat producing integration were used. The effects of these parameters on HW and HT and gender were analyzed via ANOVA-GLM. The hatching window was 656th – 688th hours, and the procedure concluded during the 688th hour of incubation. The incubation was divided into three partitions as early (656 – 667h), midterm (668 – 676h) and late hatches (677 – 688h), with the final 32 hours of incubation divided into 7 partitions (7P) from 1 to 7 as (656 – 664h, 665 – 668h, 669 – 672h, 673 – 676h, 677 – 680h, 681 – 684h and 685 – 688h). A significant relation between EST and gender was found as eggs with thicker EST female chicks hatched more than males (p˂0.05). There was no correlation between gender and EW and SI (p˃0.05). Meanwhile, the number of hatches for 7P, EST, EW and SI were not found to affect the hatch window of turkey eggs (p˃0.05).

Variation in element contents among free-range turkey egg yolks and albumens analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Poultry eggs are not only a source of nutrients for embryonic development, but also one of the main sources of food for humans. The demand for turkey eggs is increasing day by day due to their functional properties such as supporting muscle and cell formation and being beneficial to the immune and digestive systems. In addition, it contains essential elements such as iron at a reasonable level, which is among the reasons for the consumer's preference. The data on the element content of free-range turkey eggs, which is such an ancient food, is very scarce. This study focused on determining various element content of freerange turkey egg yolk and albumen by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Within the scope of the research, sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), boron (B), aluminum (Al), and lead (Pb) levels were determined in turkey egg yolk (n=52) and albumen (n=52) samples. Phosphorus was the most concentrated element in both egg yolk and albumen. Element contents in yolks were higher than those in albumen, except Na, K, B, Al, and Pb. The element with the lowest concentration was Al in turkey egg yolks, while Mg was the lowest analyzed element in albumens. This study separately exhibited the element content of turkey egg consumers in their preference for egg yolk or albumen

Correlation between fatty acids levels in chicken, duck, goose, pigeon, quail and turkey egg yolks and post-thawed quality of ram semen.

The comparison between adding egg yolks (EY) of chicken, duck, goose, pigeon, Japanese quail or turkey to the Tris glycerol extender on the quality of ram semen before freezing and post-thawing was evaluated. The correlation between fatty acids levels in egg yolks of different avian species and the post-thawed quality of ram semen was studied. The pooled ejaculates collected from five rams were extended with Tris EY glycerol extenders containing the EY of chicken, duck, goose, pigeon, quail or turkey and cryopreserved at -196°C. The straws were evaluated before freezing and post-thawing for sperm motility using a sperm cell analyser, vitality using a FluoVit kit and abnormality using a SpermBlue stain besides plasma-membrane and DNA integrities using a hypo-osmotic swelling test and a Halomax kit, respectively. The moisture, ash, protein and fatty acid (FA) contents of EY of chicken, duck, goose, pigeon, quail and turkey were analysed using a gas chromatograph. The chicken and quail EY extenders significantly improved the total progressive motility (32.05 ± 1.41 and 31.68 ± 1.43, respectively), vitality, plasma membrane and DNA integrities and abnormalities of post-thawing ram semen in comparison with other EY extenders. Pigeon EY had the lowest saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in comparison with the other types of EYs. The chicken and turkey EYs had the lowest percentage of (monounsaturated fatty acids) MUFAs in comparison with the other types of EYs. The highest percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was observed in the turkey, pigeon and chicken EYs which were considered double or triple their percentage in duck and goose EYs, respectively. Significant positive correlations existed between SFAs levels and total motility, vitality, plasma membrane functionality and DNA integrity (0.77, 0.80, 0.67, 0.52, respectively). Significant negative correlations existed between gondoic EY levels and total motility, vitality, plasma membrane functionality and DNA integrity. In conclusion, the EYs of duck, goose, pigeon or turkey cannot substitute the chicken EY in ram semen extenders as they gave lower post-thawing quality. The quail EY can be used as a good replacer for chicken EY in the extender used for cryopreservation of ram semen. The EY composition of FAs can significantly affect the quality of ram semen post-thawing.

Motility of rabbit buck semen extended with quail-egg yolk and turkey egg yolk citrate as rabbit buck semen extenders at refrigerated temperature

Motility of rabbit buck semen extended with quail-egg yolk and turkey egg yolk citrate as rabbit buck semen extenders at refrigerated temperature

Do African egg‐eating snakes (Dasypeltis) exhibit preference for eggs they eat?

AbstractAfrican egg‐eating snakes (genus Dasypeltis) are medium‐sized obligate egg‐eating species capable of swallowing large eggs compared to facultative egg‐eating snakes of the same size. Dasypeltis have numerous adaptations for swallowing then crushing eggs to extract the content. Being dependent on an egg diet, it could be predicted that Dasypeltis have the ability to assess the quality of an egg then decide whether to reject or swallow it. For example, a small egg provides less food and takes less time to swallow than a large egg but swallowing a large egg could leave the snake more vulnerable to predation. Despite the possibility of Dasypeltis exhibiting egg preference, little research has addressed this. This study examined egg preference by five species of Dasypeltis in two laboratory experiments. In the first, five species of snakes were given a choice of the widest size range of eggs available from one order of birds. These included nine species of gallinaceous birds ranging from small, soft‐shelled king quail eggs to large, hard‐shelled turkey eggs. In the second experiment, snakes were given a choice of four eggs representing three genera of birds that occur in Africa represented by two galliform and two columbiform species. These eggs varied in volume, color, and hardness of shell. The results show Dasypeltis preferred certain eggs. Large snakes eat eggs of all sizes with preference for the largest, hardest eggs, while the smallest snakes ate only the smallest eggs. Snakes preferred columbiform eggs (dove and pigeon) over galliform eggs (king quail and Japanese quail). This study demonstrated that Dasypeltis in captivity do exhibit preferences for types and sizes of eggs.

Hatching Traits and Growth of Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Poults under Sudan Conditions

The objectives of this study were to determine the hatchingtraits, brooding growth performance and mortality of turkey (Meleagrisgallopavo) poults under Sudan conditions. Six hundred fertile eggs werebrought from France and hatched in Khartoum during March 8 to April 62011 and poult brooding was conducted at the University of Bahri Farmfrom April 6 to May 4 2011. The results showed that turkey egg had98.83 % fertility, 79.26 % hatchability of total eggs, 80.2 % hatchabilityof fertile eggs, 61.9 % of first class poults from total eggs incubated, 77 %first class poults from eggs hatched. Poults weighed 49.52 100.02, 183.78,332.18 and 548.84 g at one day old and at the end of weeks, 1, 2, 3 and 4,respectively. Mortality was 7.37 % and 100 % for first and second classpoults, respectively. This is the first study done on turkey under Sudanconditions. It is hoped that this study may be a pioneer to invite more indepth research on turkey specially now when poultry industry is booming.

Protein Quality Evaluation of Some Commonly Consumed Bird Egg Varieties Using Amino Acid Scores.

Objective Food proteins provide amino acids (AAs) and serve as building blocks of all vital organs, muscles, hormones, and biological fluids such as blood. Eggs are known as a good source of protein. This study compared the protein quality of bird eggs (raw and boiled), using their AA scores since some individuals consume raw eggs for various reasons. Research Methods. Eggs studied were exotic chicken, local chicken, turkey, quail, and guinea fowl eggs. The eggs were shelled and their contents (boiled and raw) lyophilized. The standard AOAC method (Kjeldahl) was used to determine protein content, while the amino acid composition was measured using an AA analyzer. The total AA scores were calculated based on the whole hen's egg AA profiles. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results The Guinea fowl egg had the highest total amino acid score (TAAS) of 0.92. The other scores ranged as follows: 0.82 (quail) >0.81 (turkey) >0.75 (exotic chicken), and the lowest score was 0.65 (local chicken). The least scores were phenylalanine: 0.34 (exotic chicken), phenylalanine and serine: 0.36 (local chicken), leucine and aspartic acid: 0.41 (turkey), methionine: 0.31 (quail), and glutamic acid: 0.33 (guinea fowl). Also, guinea fowl egg had the highest total essential amino acid (TEAA) (49.6 g/100 g protein), i.e., % TEAA (55.1%), while exotic chicken egg had the lowest (41.1%), but the highest % NEAA (58.9%). Conclusion Guinea fowl eggs had the highest EAA and TAA content. Its consumption should particularly be encouraged for children as this can significantly reduce the risk of protein-energy malnutrition and prevent protein deficiencies.

NON-INVASIVE METHOD OF BIOSTIMULANT ADMINISTRATION INTO THE EGG: AN ALTERNATIVE TO IN OVO INJECTIONS

This article discusses practical aspects of a non-invasive method to administer biostimulants inside the egg versus an injection method. Considering literature data and our own long-term studies, benefits and disadvantages were identified for each method of biostimulant administration. Given a large number of small poultry farms, the non-invasive method is technologically simple and cost-effective for the poultry industry. The purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of certain biostimulants composition for different types of poultry in a non-invasive way of its administration. The studies were conducted on different poultry farms in the Russian Federation. The experiments used eggs of Hybrid Converter turkeys, Japanese quails, grey-speckled guineafowls, and Ross 308 broilers. Biological control indicators of incubation were recorded against hatched eggs by a method generally accepted on the poultry farms. We received positive results that proved the high efficiency of the non-invasive method of delivering biostimulants into eggs, which contributed to the increased hatchability of young birds. Thus, considering all advantages of the presented method, it can be recommended for use on poultry farms.

Refining the definition of the avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) pathotype through inclusion of high-risk clonal groups

Colibacillosis in poultry is a unique disease manifestation of Escherichia coli in the animal world, as one of the primary routes of entry is via the respiratory tract of birds. Because of this, a novel extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) subpathotype coined avian pathogenic E. coli (or APEC) has been described. Like other ExPEC, this pathotype has been challenging to clearly define, and in the case of APEC, its role as an opportunistic pathogen has further complicated these challenges. Using 3,479 temporally matched genomes of poultry-source isolates, we show that the APEC plasmid, previously considered a defining trait of APEC, is highly prevalent in clinical isolates from diseased turkeys. However, the plasmid is also quite prevalent among cecal E. coli isolates from healthy birds, including both turkeys and broilers. In contrast, we identify distinct differences in clonal backgrounds of turkey clinical versus cecal strains, with a subset of sequence types (STs) dominating the clinical landscape (ST23, ST117, ST131, ST355, and ST428), which are rare within the cecal landscape. Because the same clinical STs have also dominated the broiler landscape, we performed lethality assays using strains from dominant STs from clinical or cecal landscapes in embryonated turkey and chicken eggs. We show that, irrespective of plasmid carriage, dominant clinical STs are significantly more virulent than dominant cecal STs. We present a revised APEC screening tool that incorporates APEC plasmid carriage plus markers for dominant clinical STs. This revised APEC pathotyping tool improves the ability to identify high-risk APEC clones within poultry production systems, and identifies STs of interest for mitigation targets.

Optimization of Impacts of Eggs from Different Birds, Oven Temperature and Oven Rack Speed on the Physicochemical Properties of Cupcakes

Consumers’ demand for healthy snacks necessitates the need to study the impacts of eggs from different birds, oven temperature and oven rack speed on the physicochemical properties of cupcakes. A developed rotary oven with varied oven temperature (130°C, 150°C and 170°C), oven rack speed (0, 10 rpm and 20 rpm) and egg-type (Exotic chicken eggs, Turkey eggs and Local fowl eggs) were interacted using Face Centered Composite Design of Response Surface Methodology (FCCD-RSM). The physicochemical properties (baking time, product mass, product height and proximate composition) of the cupcakes produced were determined using standard procedures. The physicochemical properties were modelled using polynomial regression models and accuracy were determined using coefficient of determination (R2). The optimizer of FCCD-RSM was used to optimize protein content of the cupcakes. The baking time ranged from 28.50 min to 52.50 min, product height (3.82 to 4.20 mm) and product mass (36 to 36.67 g). The moisture content, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and carbohydrate content of the cupcakes ranges from 16.92 to 18.09%, 7.69 to 12.67%, 1.49% to 1.87%, 1.41% to 1.66%, 2.01% to 4.09% and 62.77 to 69.28%, respectively. The regression models were significant for product height, product mass, moisture content and crude protein content with R2 ranging from 0.81 - 0.95. Optimum protein content (12.77%) was obtained in cupcakes produced with Turkey egg at 170ºC oven temperature and 10 rpm oven rack speed. This study provided useful information about some underutilized birds eggs that can be explored to produce healthier cupcakes.Keywords— Birds Eggs, Cupcakes, Optimization, Oven temperature, Physicochemical properties

Interspecific variations in external and internal egg quality among various captive avian species from Punjab, Pakistan.

Present study was planned to determine variations in external and internal quality egg parameters of different avian species including ostrich Struthio camelus, ducks Anas platyrhynchos, chicken Gallus gallus, turkeys Meleagris gallopavo and grey francolin Francolinus pondicerinus. All the birds were kept under similar rearing conditions. A total of 150 eggs were collected for each species to record external features of these eggs. Statistically significant (p<0.05) variations were recorded in egg weight, egg length and egg width between ostrich, ducks, chicken, turkey and quail eggs. Significantly (p<0.05) higher egg weight, egg length and egg width was observed for ostrich eggs while the same was lowest for grey francolin eggs. Similarly, significantly (p<0.05) greater shape index and egg volume values were observed for ostrich eggs while lowest shape index values were recorded for turkey eggs and egg volume was lowest for grey francolin. Significantly, higher (p<0.05) values of egg density were noted for eggs of the quail and the same were lowest for ostrich eggs. Non-significant variations in egg density values were observed between eggs of the ducks, chicken, turkey and grey francolin. It has been concluded that the positive correlations between the internal and external egg quality traits indicated that the traits can be improved through selection.

Arduino Based Turkey Egg Incubator With Molen Rotation Method

Today's modern world of hatching many turkey eggs uses various incubators. Arduino-based turkey egg incubator with the molen rotation method uses an Arduino microcontroller that is connected to a DHT11 sensor for turkey egg incubator using the molen rotation method. Temperature and humidity are the main factors to determine the success at hatching of eggs, but also the need for the fertilization process in the eggs to be hatched because fertilization also determines the success rate at hatching eggs. Testing of the incubator is carried out directly from the turkey egg incubator at the temperature in the room and rotates it with the automatic spinning method with an angle of 360 ° every 4 hours. DHT11 can detect temperature and humidity in the incubator room, the optimal temperature for hatching turkey eggs is 37 ° -38 ° C and the optimal humidity is 55-60% RH, and the servo motor is able to move to move the egg rack according to the time specified. The measurement results of the DHT11 sensor readings are as desired with a minimum temperature reading of 37⁰C and a maximum temperature of 39⁰C with humidity that has been set at 55-60% and the molen rotation method runs according to the desired time every 6 hours for 4 times with 360 ⁰ rotation, at days 1-26 turkey eggs hatch with a result of 3: 2 in the sense that 3 successfully hatched and 2 failed to hatch.

The storage of turkey hatching eggs

During the storage period, changes in morphological and biochemical parameters occur in the egg. The composition of the microflora on the surface of the egg shell changes, while their hatchery traits decrease. The rate of “aging” of eggs depends on the quality of the shell, protein and yolk, on the shelf life, the level of contamination of the shell surface with microorganisms, temperature, humidity, gas composition of the environment, the position of the eggs in space, and so on. Many methods of preserving the quality of the hatchery egg and the viability of the embryo in it have been studied. However, not all storage techniques are suitable for each species of birds. So, the method of storage with a sharp pole up in a sealed package is optimal for eggs of meat chickens, and in turkeys, when stored in the sealed package, the hatchery traits are sharply reduced. At the same time, the storage of turkey hatching eggs with a sharp pole up allows to increase their hatchability by 0,78–1,63 % (a week of storage) or to neutralize the harmful effects of biochemical changes in the egg and to keep the hatchability of eggs at the level of 85,20 and 80,10 % (two and three weeks of storage). The use of sealed packaging for storing turkey hatching eggs without sufficient airing time leads to a decrease in the results of brooding, and with the increase in the shelf life, the negative effect increases and the hatchability of eggs decreases from 89,53–91,22 % (one week of storage) to 27,08–46,86 % (three weeks of storage). In any case, the shelf life of two and three weeks negatively affects the quality of daily poults, which is expressed in an increase in live weight by 0,05–0,90 and 0,30–1,21 %, as well as the decrease in the length of daily poults by 2,44–3,11 and 3,08–3,37 %, respectively.

Biodetection of a specific odor signature in mallard feces associated with infection by low pathogenic avian influenza A virus.

Outbreaks of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection included the spread of highly pathogenic AIV in commercial poultry and backyard flocks in the spring of 2015. This resulted in estimated losses of more than $8.5 million from federal government expenditures, $1.6 billion from direct losses to produces arising from destroyed turkey and chicken egg production, and economy-wide indirect costs of $3.3 billion from impacts on retailers and the food service industries. Additionally, these outbreaks resulted in the death or depopulation of nearly 50 million domestic birds. Domesticated male ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were trained to display a specific conditioned behavior (i.e. active scratch alert) in response to feces from AIV-infected mallards in comparison to feces from healthy ducks. In order to establish that ferrets were identifying samples based on odors associated with infection, additional experiments controlled for potentially confounding effects, such as: individual duck identity, housing and feed, inoculation concentration, and day of sample collection (post-infection). A final experiment revealed that trained ferrets could detect AIV infection status even in the presence of samples from mallards inoculated with Newcastle disease virus or infectious laryngotracheitis virus. These results indicate that mammalian biodetectors are capable of discriminating the specific odors emitted from the feces of non-infected versus AIV infected mallards, suggesting that the health status of waterfowl can be evaluated non-invasively for AIV infection via monitoring of volatile fecal metabolites. Furthermore, in situ monitoring using trained biodetectors may be an effective tool for assessing population health.

Effects of Red and Blue Light during the Incubation of Turkey Eggs on Hatchability Performance and Expression Pattern of Some Myogenic Regulatory Genes

Effects of Red and Blue Light during the Incubation of Turkey Eggs on Hatchability Performance and Expression Pattern of Some Myogenic Regulatory Genes

AN ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE HATCHABILTY PERCENTAGE OF BRONZE TURKEY EGGS BY TECHNIQUE OF IN OVO INJECTION WITH L- CARNITINE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of pre-incubation in ovo injection with different levels of L- carnitine (L-Car) on hatchability traits of Bronze Turkey eggs, blood plasma constituents and subsequent growth performance of hatched chicks. A total of 300 hatching eggs of Bronze Turkey were chosen (averaged 80.0 g) and randomly divided into four main groups each of three replicates (25 eggs each). The 1st group was used as a control (C) without injection, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were injected with 0.1 ml distilled water contained 6, 8 or 10 mg L-Car/egg, respectively. Hatchability (%), Early and late embryonic mortality (%) were calculated. After hatch, 33 chicks were taken from each treatment group then distributed into three replicates (11 chicks, each), then reared up to 84 d-old to evaluate their growth performance. The results indicated that, in- ovo L-car injection (with 6.0 mg/egg) before incubation had significantly (P≤0.01) increased hatchability (%) of fertile eggs and decreased (P≤0.01) both early and late embryonic mortality compared with the control group (non-injected). Hatched chicks from injected eggs with 6.0 mg L-car /egg recoded a significant (P≤0.01) improvement of all studied growth traits during the entire period after hatch as compared with the other treatment groups. Blood PlasmaIGF-1, triiodothyronine and total antioxidant capacity constituents were significantly elevated for chicks at hatch by in ovo L-car injection compared to control group. Histological examination explained an improvement in small intestine and lymphoid organs development by in ovo L-car injection compared to the control group. So, we concluded the in ovo L-car injection (6 mg/egg) before incubation could be used as a promising technical method to improve hatchability and decrease embryonic mortality (%), obtain better immunity and subsequent growth performance of Bronze turkey chicks after hatch.

Effect of organic selenium and zinc supplementation on fertility and hatchability of turkey eggs

The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of organic selenium (Se-yeast, 0.20mg Se) and zinc (as zinc oxide) on fertility and hatchability of indigenous turkey eggs. Eighteen toms and twenty seven hens aged eighteen weeks were used for the study. The toms were randomly assigned to nine experimental treatments with two birds per treatment: 0mg Se + 0mg Zn/kg (T or control), 0.2mg Se (T ), 0.3mg Se (T ), 110mg Zn (T ), 120mg Zn (T ), 0.2mg Se + 110mg 1 2 3 4 5 Zn (T ), 0.3mg Se + 110mg Zn (T ), 0.2mg Se + 120mg Zn (T ), 0.3mg Se + 120mg Zn/kg (T ) in 6 7 8 9 a completely randomized design. At 32 weeks of age, semen was collected twice a week from toms in each treatment and used to inseminate hens belonging to the treatment. A total of 100 eggs in four batches were incubated from each treatment group and these were used to evaluate fertility, hatchability, and embryonic mortality. Supplementation of the diet of turkey toms with 0.3mg Se or 120mg Zn/kg of feed produced sperm which gave higher percentage fertility and hatchability and lower embryonic death in inseminated turkey hens compared to the control and those supplemented with 0.20mg Se or 110mg Zn/kg. Also the combination of Se and Zn improved fertility, hatchability, and embryonic viability than sole Se or Zn supplementation. Overall, supplementation with 0.3mg Se + 110mg Zn or 0.3mg Se + 120mg Zn/kg was found best to improve fertility, hatchability and embryonic viability in inseminated turkey hens